JPH05122764A - Home controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease the labor necessary for the trouble inspection to detect the trouble key of a touch panel. CONSTITUTION:The controller is provided with a touch panel 1k having a key for input and a displaying part 1j to display in correspondence to the key input of the touch panel 1k. The displaying part 1j, so as to form the displaying area corresponding to all keys of the touch panel 1k and make the displaying of the displaying area corresponding to the ON key and the displaying of the displaying area corresponding to the key which is not ON into the different displaying, a trouble inspection and displaying control part 1w to control the displaying part 1j and the touch panel 1k is provided. Then, after all keys of the touch panel 1k are pushed, by watching the displaying of the displaying area corresponding to the remaining key which is not ON, the trouble key which is not ON even when it is pushed can be easily found out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home controller, and more particularly to a home controller having a touch panel and a display section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called home automation system, which connects various devices in a home by a network and realizes various systemized services, has become widespread. At the heart of this home automation system is the home controller. By using the home controller, it becomes possible to monitor and operate the operating states of various devices in the home from a remote location.

Generally, home controllers are used by people who are not used to operating machines, such as housewives, children and the elderly. For this reason, as the number and functions of devices that can be controlled by the home controller increase, the number of keys and lamps that must be operated by the home controller also increases, making it difficult to operate.

In order to solve this problem, there is a home controller having a man-machine interface in which a touch panel capable of changing key contents and a display section for displaying the contents of key operations are combined (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-26).
5395).

The appearance of the home controller is shown in FIG. The home controller 5 includes a handset 51 for talking, a man-machine interface 52, and a speaker 53. This man-machine interface 5
As shown in FIG. 6, reference numeral 2 denotes a display for display 52a as a display unit, a transparent touch panel 52b attached on the display surface of the display 52a, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the display 52a and the touch panel 52b. have.

The touch panel 52b usually has a key matrix of m rows and n columns arranged in a plane. FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of a key input system for one key of the above key matrix. When the key strobe signal shown in FIG. 9 is set to the H level, the key is pressed, and when the key is turned on, the key input signal becomes the L level. If the key is not pressed, the key is turned off and the key input signal becomes H level. The key input signal is transmitted to the display 52a via the control unit.

FIG. 7 shows a display sequence of the function menu of the home controller 5 by the display 52a of the man-machine interface 52. In the case of this display row, the six functions shown in FIG. 7 can be selected. The touch panel 52b in the area facing "control" in the display row constitutes a "control" key. When the "control" key is pressed, the display 52a displays the screen shown in FIG. Then, the touch panel 52b displays "air conditioner 1", "air conditioner 2", "lighting 1", "lighting 2", "lighting 3" on this screen.
5 keys and the "end" key. Then, the five electric devices can be controlled by operating the five keys.

As described above, the man-machine interface 52 can change the operation content of the key of the touch panel 52b by changing the display content of the display 52a, and the operability is good.

[0009]

By the way, the home controller 5 having the man-machine interface 52 having the touch panel 52b and the display 52a is
While the operability of key input is good, the touch panel 52 is used for almost all operations of the home controller 5.
Since it is necessary to use b, if the touch panel 52b fails, almost all operations of the home controller 5 are disabled, and the adverse effect on the entire home automation system including the home controller 5 is very large. Therefore, in order to improve the reliability of the home controller 5 and the home automation system including the home controller 5, it is essential to regularly perform a failure inspection of the touch panel 52b.

If the failure content of the failed key on the touch panel 52b is a short-circuit mode in which the key remains in the on state and cannot be turned off, the key is turned on even if the key is not pressed. It is relatively easy to detect a broken key by looking at the display of the display 52a.

However, in the case of a failure in the open mode in which the failure key cannot be turned on even when the key is pressed while the failure key is in the off state, all the touch panel 52b can be configured to detect the failure key. Key of 1
It is necessary to check each time whether or not the key is turned on and the display 52a displays a display corresponding to the key when the keys are pressed one by one. Therefore, in the case of the above failure in the open mode, the trouble inspection for detecting the trouble key becomes very troublesome.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a home controller which can reduce the trouble required for the failure inspection for detecting the failure key of the touch panel.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a home controller of the present invention is a home controller for controlling various devices in a home, and has a touch panel having an input key and a key input of the touch panel. A display section for performing corresponding display and a display area corresponding to all the keys of the touch panel are formed on the display section, and a display area corresponding to a key turned on and a display area corresponding to a key not turned on are formed. It is characterized in that a key failure inspection control unit for controlling the display unit and the touch panel is provided so that the display in the display area is different from the display.

[0014]

According to the above structure, the surface of the touch panel is wiped with cloth or paper, and the keys of the touch panel are pressed one after another. Then, under the control of the key failure inspection control unit that controls the touch panel and the display unit, the display unit displays the display area corresponding to the turned-on key and the display area corresponding to the non-turned-on key differently. Display. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the display area corresponding to the turned-on key becomes white, and the display area corresponding to the not-turned key becomes black. Therefore, by wiping the entire surface of the touch panel, pressing all the keys on the touch panel, and then looking at the display in the display area corresponding to the remaining non-on keys, it is easy to find the faulty key that does not turn on. Be done. Therefore, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional example in which it is necessary to check every time whether or not the display unit displays the screen corresponding to the key in order to find the malfunction key, When you finish the simple operation of wiping the entire surface of the touch panel with cloth or paper, you can find the failure key just by looking at the display, and the trouble of touch panel failure inspection is greatly reduced.

Further, the work of wiping the surface of the touch panel with a cloth or paper cleans the surface of the touch panel which is frequently used and is apt to be stained, and the stain is removed. That is, according to the present invention, cleaning of the touch panel and failure inspection can be performed at the same time, and the number of maintenance steps can be reduced.

[0016]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home controller 1 of this embodiment includes a signal line 1a for transmitting a video signal,
A signal line 1b for transmitting a control signal and a signal line 1c for transmitting a voice signal are connected. The signal line 1a is connected to the display control unit 1g via the video signal interface unit 1d. The signal line 1b is connected to the main control circuit 1h via the control signal interface section 1e.
Further, the signal line 1c is connected to the call circuit 1i via the voice signal interface section 1f. The display control unit 1g controls the display unit 1j, and the main control circuit 1h controls the entire home controller 1. Information input from the touch panel 1k having an input key is read by the key control unit 1l and transmitted to the main control circuit 1h. The home controller 1 also includes the touch panel 1k and the display unit 1 via the key control unit 1l and the display control unit 1g.
Failure inspection as a key failure inspection control unit that controls j
The display management unit 1w is provided.

Next, the operation of the key failure inspection of the touch panel 1k of the home controller 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S1, the home controller 1 is brought into a key failure inspection state (cleaning state) by a command from the main control circuit 1h or a key input on the touch panel 1k, and the failure inspection / display management unit 1w causes the key control unit 1l. The touch panel 1k and the display unit 1j are controlled via the display control unit 1g.

Next, in step S2, the failure inspection / display management unit 1w (hereinafter referred to as "management unit 1w") has a key inputtable on the touch panel 1k, for example, m rows and n columns.
The m × n memories of the management unit 1w are reset. Also, the total number (m × n) of keys that can be input is set in the counter A of the management unit 1w. When the key in the j-th column of the i-th row is turned on, the management unit 1w sets n × (i−1) + j-th memory.

Next, in step S3, the management unit 1w
Causes all the display areas of the display unit 1j to have the same display. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, all the display areas of the display unit 1j are displayed in black so that stains attached to the surface of the touch panel 1k can be easily seen.

Next, in step S4, the management unit 1w
Resets the timer of the management unit 1w and starts clocking. Next, in step S5, the management unit 1w determines whether or not the cleaning state has been released by a command from the main control circuit 1h or the like. When it is determined that the cleaning state has been released, the management unit 1w proceeds to step S14. If it is determined that the cleaning state has not been released, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S14, the management unit 1w indicates that "there is some unwiping residue, but the cleaning work is completed. Message is displayed and the cleaning state is ended.

In step S6, the management unit 1w determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the time measurement of the timer,
When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S15, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S15, the management section 1w indicates that "there is unwiping residue on the display section 1j. Continue cleaning. Message is displayed to prompt the cleaner to continue the cleaning work. Next, the process proceeds to step S16, the timer is reset, and clocking is started. Next, in step S17, the management unit 1w determines whether or not the cleaning state is released. When it is determined that the cleaning state is released, the management unit 1w returns to step S14. When it is determined that the cleaning state has not been released, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the management unit 1w determines whether or not the key of the touch panel 1k is turned on, and when it is determined that the key of the touch panel 1k is turned on, the process proceeds to step S8, and the touch panel 1k is touched.
When it is determined that the key has not been turned on, step S
Proceed to 19. In step S19, it is determined whether or not the timer has passed a predetermined time. When it is determined that the predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to step S20, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to step S17. Step S2
In 0, the management unit 1w displays “There is a problem with the touch panel on the display unit 1j. Please check. Message is displayed and the cleaning state is ended.

On the other hand, in step S7, the management unit 1w determines whether or not the key of the touch panel 1k is turned on. When it is determined that the key of the touch panel 1k is turned on, the process proceeds to step S8, and the key of the touch panel 1k is turned on. If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S5. In step S8, the management unit 1w determines whether or not the turned-on key has been turned on before the turned-on time.
(If the memory corresponding to the key has already been set before turning on the above), and if it is a key that has been turned on before turning on, step Returning to S4, if it is determined that the key has not been turned on before the turning on, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9,
The management unit 1w controls the display unit 1j to change the display of the display area corresponding to the turned-on key from the initially set black to white (see FIG. 4). Next, in step S10,
Set the memory corresponding to the key that was turned on (for example, if the key in the lth column of the kth row is turned on,
Set the n × (k−1) + 1th memory. ). Next, in step S11, the management unit 1w decrements the value of the counter A by 1. Next, in step S12, the counter A
Is determined to be zero, the process proceeds to step S13 when it is determined that the value of the counter A is zero, and the process returns to step S4 when it is determined that the value of the counter A is not zero.
In step S13, the management unit 1w tells the display unit 1j that "The touch panel is normal. The cleaning work is completed. Message is displayed to end the cleaning state, that is, the key failure inspection state.

Therefore, in the key failure inspection state,
When the cleaner wipes the surface of the touch panel 1k with cloth or paper and presses the keys on the touch panel 1k one after another, the management unit 1w controls the display unit 1j to turn it on as illustrated in FIG. The display area corresponding to the selected key is made white, while the display area corresponding to the key that is not turned on is made black. Therefore, by wiping the entire surface of the touch panel 1k, pressing all the keys of the touch panel 1k, and then observing the black display of the display area corresponding to the remaining keys without being turned on, it is easy to find the malfunction key that does not turn on. be able to. Therefore, to find the failure key, 1
Each time one key is pressed, it is necessary to check whether or not the display unit displays the screen corresponding to that key, unlike the conventional example in which the entire surface of the touch panel is covered with cloth or paper. When the simple operation of wiping is completed, the failure key can be found just by looking at the display section, and the trouble of touch panel failure inspection can be greatly reduced.

By the operation of wiping the surface of the touch panel with cloth or paper, the surface of the touch panel, which is frequently used and is likely to have dirt attached, is cleaned and the dirt is removed. That is, according to the present invention, cleaning of the touch panel and failure inspection can be performed at the same time, and the number of maintenance steps can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the cleaning state, if there is no key failure, the display unit 1j displays the display area corresponding to the uncleaned portion and the display area corresponding to the already cleaned portion of the touch panel 1k. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a different display is displayed and a message prompting the cleaner to continue cleaning until there are no uncleaned portions is displayed. Therefore, the touch panel 1k can be completely cleaned.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above description, the home controller of the present invention wipes the surface of the touch panel with cloth or paper so that when the keys of the touch panel are pressed one after another, the touch panel and the display section are opened. Under the control of the control unit for key failure inspection which is controlled, the display unit displays the display area corresponding to the turned-on key and the display area corresponding to the non-turned-on key differently. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the display area corresponding to the turned-on key becomes white, and the display area corresponding to the not-turned key becomes black. Therefore, by wiping the entire surface of the touch panel, pressing all the keys of the touch panel, and then observing the display in the display area corresponding to the remaining non-on keys, it is easy to find the malfunction key that does not turn on. be able to. Therefore, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional example in which it is necessary to check every time whether or not the display unit displays the screen corresponding to the key in order to find the malfunction key, When the simple work of wiping the entire surface of the touch panel with cloth or paper is completed, the failure key can be found just by looking at the display section, and the trouble of touch panel failure inspection can be greatly reduced.

By the operation of wiping the surface of the touch panel with cloth or paper, the surface of the touch panel, which is frequently used and is likely to be stained, is cleaned and the stain is removed. That is, according to the present invention, cleaning of the touch panel and failure inspection can be performed at the same time, and the number of maintenance steps can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a home controller of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a conventional home controller.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a man-machine interface unit of a conventional home controller.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of the man-machine interface.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the man-machine interface.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a key input system of the man-machine interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,5 Home controller 1a, 1b, 1c
Signal line 1d Video signal interface part 1e Control signal interface part 1f Audio signal interface part 1g Display control part 1h Main control circuit 1j Display part 1k Touch panel 1l Key control part 1w Failure inspection / display management part 51 Handset 52 Man-machine interface 52a For display Display 52b Touch panel 53 Speaker

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A home controller for controlling various devices in a home, a touch panel having keys for input, a display section for performing a display corresponding to a key input of the touch panel, and the touch panel including all the touch panels. The display unit and the touch panel are formed so as to form a display area corresponding to the key of No. 1 and to make the display of the display area corresponding to the turned-on key and the display of the display area corresponding to the non-ON key different from each other. A home controller characterized by comprising a key failure inspection control unit for controlling the.